High security fastener

ABSTRACT

A security fastener for installation on a wheel having a recess hole extending from a recess entrance of a first diameter comprising an end portion concentric with a longitudinal axis of the fastener, the end portion configured to mate with a corresponding element of the recess hole, an intermediate skirt portion having a side wall region with a diameter within about 6 millimeters of the diameter of the recess entrance, a drive portion having a tapered outer surface and a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinally extending key-receiving grooves in the tapered outer surface arranged in a lock pattern to which a driving torque may be applied, the tapered outer surface sloping downward and outward away from the longitudinal axis of the fastener from a top surface to the skirt portion at a taper angle of at least 11 degrees.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to vehicle wheel fasteners, including lugbolts and lug nuts. More particularly, the disclosure concerns securityfasteners for installation on vehicle wheels having a recess hole(including but not limited to metal alloy vehicle wheels).

BACKGROUND ART

By way of background, standard bolts and nuts have no security featurebecause they are designed to be fastened and unfastened using standardtools, such as wrenches, which can be easily obtained. For some fastenerapplications, such as the attachment of valuable assets, securityfasteners have been developed to prevent unauthorized fastener removaland theft. One example is security locks for metal alloy vehicle wheels.Metal alloy wheels are typically formed with recess holes in which thesecurity locks are wholly or partially recessed following installation.The recess may be relatively narrow and deep (as commonly found in tunerrims) or somewhat wider and shallower. In some cases the recess sidewallis of varying height such that the recess only partially recesses thesecurity lock. Security locks designed for installation in recess holesinclude both lock bolts and lock nuts. Such locks are typically formedwith a security groove pattern that is only exposed inside the entranceto the recess hole or, if exposed outside the entrance of the recesshole, includes a spin shroud. A special key having a matching securityridge pattern is required to install and remove the locks.

U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011/0116891, entitled “Security Fastenerfor Wheels with a Recess Hole,” the aggregate disclosures of which ishereby incorporated by reference, is directed to a security fastenerdesigned for installation on a wheel having a recess hole and disclosesa number of configurations for both a bolt type and nut type securityfastener. U.S. Pat. No. 7,445,414, entitled “High Security FastenerConstructions,” the aggregate disclosures of which is herebyincorporated by reference, is directed to a security fastener featuringa rotatable anti-theft shroud.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A security fastener (2, 102) for installation on a wheel (30, 130)having a recess hole (31, 131) extending from a recess entrance (33,133) of a first diameter (34, 134) is provided comprising a threaded endportion (14, 114) concentric with a longitudinal axis (x-x) of thefastener; the threaded end portion configured and arranged to mate witha corresponding threaded element of the recess hole of the wheel whenthe fastener is installed in the recess hole; an intermediate skirtportion (24, 124) concentric with the longitudinal axis of the fastenerand configured and arranged such that a side wall region (18, 118) ofthe skirt portion will extend within the recess hole when the fasteneris installed in the recess hole; the side wall region of theintermediate skirt portion having a diameter (22, 122) within about 6millimeters of the first diameter of the recess entrance; a driveportion (26, 126) having a tapered outer surface and a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced longitudinally extending key-receiving grooves(25, 125) in the tapered outer surface arranged in a lock pattern towhich a driving torque may be applied; the drive portion configured andarranged such that the lock pattern will be exposed outside, at orinside the entrance to the recess hole when the fastener is installed inthe recess hole; the tapered outer surface sloping downward and outwardaway from the longitudinal axis of the fastener from a top surface (15,115) substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of thefastener to the skirt portion at a taper angle from the longitudinalaxis (23, 123) of at least 11 degrees.

The intermediate skirt portion may comprise an upper annular surface(15, 115) orientated substantially perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis of the fastener and an outer cylindrical surface (18, 118)concentric with the longitudinal axis of the fastener. The sidewallregion of the skirt portion may comprise the outer cylindrical surfaceconcentric with the longitudinal axis of the fastener. The side wallregion of the intermediate skirt portion may have a diameter withinabout 3 millimeters of the first diameter of the recess entrance. Thetaper angle of the tapered outer surface may be between about 29 degreesand about 61 degrees. The tapered outer surface may comprise a firsttapered surface portion (216 a, 316 a) sloping downward from the topsurface and outward away from the longitudinal axis of the fastener at afirst taper angle from the longitudinal axis (223 a, 323 a) of at least40 degrees and a second tapered surface portion (216 b, 316 b) slopingdownward from the first surface portion and outward away from thelongitudinal axis of the fastener at a second taper angle from thelongitudinal axis (223 b, 323 b) that is less than the first taperangle. The first taper angle may be about 45 degrees and the secondtaper angle may be about 20 degrees. The tapered outer surface of thedrive portion may have a Rockwell scale hardness of about HRc 60 orless. The taper angle and the hardness of the tapered outer surface ofthe drive portion may be governed by the function taperangle≧11.25+((60−taper hardness)*0.75), where “taper hardness” is theRockwell scale hardness of the drive portion. The longitudinallyextending key-receiving grooves may be defined by an arcuate surface(27, 127) extending radially inwards towards the longitudinal axis ofthe fastener from the tapered surface of the drive portion. The taperedouter surface may comprise a frusto-conical surface having an upperminor diameter (35, 135) and a lower major diameter (36, 136). Thegrooves may have an outer width (38, 138) at the major diameter from oneside of the arcuate surface, where it intersects with the majordiameter, to the other side of the arcuate surface, where it intersectswith the major diameter, of less than about 26% of the major diameter.Each of the grooves may have a maximum radial depth (28, 128) inwardsfrom the minor diameter of less than about 11% of the major diameter(36, 136). The drive portion may have a total outer surface areaconsisting of a tapered surface area of the tapered outer surface and agroove cutaway surface area of the grooves in the tapered outer surfaceand the tapered surface area may comprise at least about 59% of thetotal surface area. The threaded end portion may comprise an innerthreaded bore (114) and the corresponding threaded element of the recesshole of the wheel may comprise an outer threaded stud (29) in the recesshole. The fastener may further comprise a break-away post (10) extendingfrom the top surface of the drive portion. The fastener may furthercomprise a shroud (45) rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative tothe intermediate skirt portion and extending over at least a portion ofthe fastener.

In another aspect, a security fastener for installation on a wheelhaving a recess hole extending from a recess entrance of a firstdiameter is provided comprising a threaded end portion concentric with alongitudinal axis of the fastener; the threaded end portion configuredand arranged to mate with a corresponding inner threaded element of therecess hole of the wheel when the fastener is installed in the recesshole; an intermediate skirt portion concentric with the longitudinalaxis of the fastener and configured and arranged such that a side wallregion of the skirt portion will extend within the recess hole when thefastener is installed in the recess hole; the side wall region of theintermediate skirt portion having a diameter within about 6 millimetersof the first diameter of the recess entrance; a drive portion having atapered outer surface concentric with the longitudinal axis of thefastener and a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinallyextending key-receiving grooves in the tapered outer surface arranged ina lock pattern to which a driving torque may be applied; the driveportion configured and arranged such that the lock pattern will beexposed outside, at or inside the entrance to the recess hole when thefastener is installed in the recess hole; the tapered outer surface ofthe drive portion having a Rockwell scale hardness of about HRc 60 orless; the tapered outer surface sloping downward and outward away fromthe longitudinal axis of the fastener from a top surface substantiallyperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fastener to the skirtportion at a taper angle from the longitudinal axis of at least 11degrees; and wherein the taper angle and the hardness of the taperedouter surface of the drive portion are governed by the function taperangle≧11.25+((60−taper hardness)*0.75), where “taper hardness” is theRockwell scale hardness of the drive portion.

The intermediate skirt portion may comprise an upper annular surfaceorientated substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of thefastener and the sidewall region of the skirt portion may comprise anouter cylindrical surface concentric with the longitudinal axis of thefastener. The side wall region of the intermediate skirt portion mayhave a diameter within about 3 millimeters of the first diameter of therecess entrance. The taper angle of the tapered outer surface may bebetween about 29 degrees and about 61 degrees. The tapered outer surfacemay comprise a first tapered surface portion sloping downward from thetop surface and outward away from the longitudinal axis of the fastenerat a first taper angle of at least 40 degrees and a second taperedsurface portion sloping downward from the first surface portion andoutward away from the longitudinal axis of the fastener at a secondtaper angle that is less than the first taper angle. The first taperangle may be about 45 degrees and the second taper angle may be about 20degrees. Each of the longitudinally extending key-receiving grooves maybe defined by an arcuate surface extending radially inwards towards thelongitudinal axis of the fastener from the tapered surface of the driveportion; the tapered outer surface may comprise a frusto-conical surfacehaving an upper minor diameter and a lower major diameter; and each ofthe grooves may have an outer width at the major diameter from one sideof the arcuate surface, where it intersects with the major diameter, tothe other side of the arcuate surface, where it intersects with themajor diameter, of less than about 26% of the major diameter. Each ofthe grooves may have a maximum radial depth inwards from the minordiameter of less than about 11% of the major diameter. The drive portionmay have a total outer surface area consisting of a tapered surface areaof the tapered outer surface and a groove cutaway surface area of thegrooves in the tapered outer surface and the tapered surface area maycomprise at least about 59% of the total surface area. The threaded endportion may comprise an inner threaded bore and the correspondingthreaded element of the recess hole of the wheel may comprise an outerthreaded stud in the recess hole. The fastener may further comprise abreak-away post extending from the top surface of the drive portion. Thefastener may further comprise a shroud rotatable about the longitudinalaxis relative to the intermediate skirt portion and extending over atleast a portion of the fastener.

In another aspect, a security fastener (502) for installation on a wheel(230) having a recess hole (231) extending from a recess entrance (233)of a first diameter (234) is provided comprising a threaded portion(514) concentric with a longitudinal axis (x-x) of the fastener; thethreaded portion configured and arranged to mate with a correspondingthreaded element of the recess hole of the wheel when the fastener isinstalled in the recess hole; a drive portion (526) having a taperedinner surface (516) concentric with the longitudinal axis of thefastener and a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinallyextending key-receiving grooves (525) in the tapered inner surfacearranged in a lock pattern to which a driving torque may be applied; thedrive portion configured and arranged such that the lock pattern will beexposed outside, at or inside the entrance to the recess hole when thefastener is installed in the recess hole; the tapered inner surfacesloping downward and inward toward the longitudinal axis of the fastenerat a taper angle from the longitudinal axis (523) of at least 11degrees.

The taper angle of the tapered inner surface may be between about 29degrees and about 61 degrees. The tapered inner surface may comprise afirst tapered surface portion (616 a) sloping downward and inward towardthe longitudinal axis of the fastener at a first taper angle from thelongitudinal axis (623 a) of at least 11 degrees and a second taperedsurface portion (616 b) sloping downward and inward toward thelongitudinal axis of the fastener at a second taper angle from thelongitudinal axis (623 b) that is greater than the first taper angle.The first taper angle may be about 20 degrees and the second taper anglemay be about 45 degrees. The tapered inner surface of the drive portionmay have a Rockwell scale hardness of about HRc 60 or less. The taperangle and the hardness of the tapered inner surface of the drive portionmay be governed by the function taper angle≧11.25+((60−taperhardness)*0.75), where “taper hardness” is the Rockwell scale hardnessof the drive portion. Each of the longitudinally extending key-receivinggrooves may be defined by an arcuate surface (527) extending radiallyoutward from the longitudinal axis of the fastener from the taperedsurface of the drive portion. The tapered inner surface may comprise afrusto-conical surface having an upper major diameter (535). The driveportion may have a total inner surface area consisting of a taperedsurface area of the tapered inner surface and a groove cutaway surfacearea of the grooves in the tapered inner surface and the tapered surfacearea may comprise at least about 59% of the total surface area. Thethreaded portion may comprise an inner threaded bore and thecorresponding threaded element of the recess hole of the wheel maycomprise an outer threaded stud in the recess hole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an improvedsecurity fastener.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the security fastener shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of the securityfastener shown in FIG. 2, taken generally on line A-A of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an example installation of the securityfastener shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the example installationshown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an improvedsecurity fastener.

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the security fastener shown inFIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal vertical cross-sectional view of the securityfastener shown in FIG. 7, taken generally on line B-B of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an example installation of the securityfastener shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the example installationshown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of an improvedsecurity fastener.

FIG. 12 is a front elevational view of the security fastener shown inFIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a longitudinal vertical cross-sectional view of the securityfastener shown in FIG. 12, taken generally on line C-C of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of an improvedsecurity fastener.

FIG. 15 is a front elevational view of the security fastener shown inFIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of the securityfastener shown in FIG. 15, taken generally on line D-D of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of an improvedsecurity fastener.

FIG. 18 is an exploded view of the security fastener shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a front elevational view of the security fastener shown inFIG. 17.

FIG. 20 is a longitudinal vertical cross-sectional view of the securityfastener shown in FIG. 19, taken generally on line E-E of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of sixth embodiment of an improvedsecurity fastener.

FIG. 22 is a front elevational view of the security fastener shown inFIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a longitudinal vertical cross-sectional view of the securityfastener shown in FIG. 22, taken generally on line F-F of FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of an example installation of the securityfastener shown in FIG. 21.

FIG. 25 is a front elevational view of the security fastenerinstallation shown in FIG. 24.

FIG. 26 is a longitudinal vertical cross-sectional view of the securityfastener installation shown in FIG. 25, taken generally on line G-G ofFIG. 25.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a seventh embodiment of an improvedsecurity fastener.

FIG. 28 is a front elevational view of the security fastener shown inFIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is a longitudinal vertical cross-sectional view of the securityfastener shown in FIG. 28, taken generally on line H-H of FIG. 28.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

At the outset, it should be clearly understood that like referencenumerals are intended to identify the same structural elements, portionsor surfaces consistently throughout the several drawing figures, as suchelements, portions or surfaces may be further described or explained bythe entire written specification, of which this detailed description isan integral part. Unless otherwise indicated, the drawings are intendedto be read (e.g., crosshatching, arrangement of parts, proportion,degree, etc.) together with the specification, and are to be considereda portion of the entire written description of this invention. As usedin the following description, the terms “horizontal”, “vertical”,“left”, “right”, “up” and “down”, as well as adjectival and adverbialderivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally”, “rightwardly”, “upwardly”,etc.), simply refer to the orientation of the illustrated structure asthe particular drawing figure faces the reader. Similarly, the terms“inwardly” and “outwardly” generally refer to the orientation of asurface relative to its axis of elongation, or axis of rotation, asappropriate.

In this description, various example security fastener embodiments aredisclosed. The disclosed security fasteners are suited for installationin wheels or other structures wherein the fasteners are received in arecess hole. As described in more detail below, such recess holes mayhave a variety of configurations. Advantageously, the disclosed securityfasteners are optimized to use the recess hole as a security enhancer toprevent fastener removal using unauthorized tools. In particular, thesecurity fasteners are designed so that they can only be removed usingan authorized key to engage a fastener key-receiving portion that is atleast partially protected by the recess hole that forms part of eachfastener installation. Any attempt to rotate the fastener by grippingother exposed locations on the fastener will not succeed. Examplefastener types include threaded bolts and nuts. Unless otherwiseindicated, all components described herein may be formed from a suitablemetal, including but not limited to steel, stainless steel, brass,aluminum, titanium, as well as other metals and alloys. Non-metallicmaterials could potentially also be used for some applications.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, an improved safety fastener is provided, afirst bolt-type embodiment of which is generally indicated at 2. Boltfastener 2 includes first end portion 4, second end portion 6 and medial(intermediate) portion 8 disposed between first end portion 4 and secondend portion 6.

First end portion 4 of bolt fastener 2 comprises a generally cylindricallock post 10. In this embodiment, lock post 10 is formed as an integralpart of the fastener body. However, lock post 10 could be a separatelymounted component. Lock post 10 is formed with an undercut annulargroove 11 at the base thereof whose diameter is less than the maindiameter of post 10. Groove 11 provides an area of weakness that allowslock post 10 to serve as a security structure, namely, by acting as abreakaway post that will break off at groove 11 if removal of fastener 2is attempted by gripping first end portion 4 using an unauthorized tool.

Second end portion 6 of bolt fastener 2 includes shank 14, which isexternally threaded over a portion or all of its length. Second endportion 6 may further include an external seat formed by a floatingcone-shaped seat washer 12 mounted on shank 14.

Medial portion 8 of bolt fastener 2 has a specially configured outerprofile. In particular, and with reference to FIG. 3, medial portion 8is a specially-configured solid member elongated along axis x-x, and isbounded by rightwardly-facing annular vertical surface 15, rightwardlyand outwardly-facing frusto-conical surface 16, rightwardly-facingannular vertical surface 17, outwardly-facing horizontal cylindricalsurface 18, and leftwardly-facing annular vertical surface 19, joined atits inner marginal end to the right marginal end of outwardly-facinghorizontal cylindrical surface 20 of shank 14. Surface 16 and grooves 25generally form drive portion 26. Frusto-conical surface 16 has an upperminor diameter 35 at its junction with surface 15 and a lower majordiameter 36 at its junction with surface 17. Surfaces 17, 18 and 19generally form skirt portion 24 and surface 18 generally provides acylindrical sidewall region having outer diameter 22.

In this embodiment, surface 16 is tapered or sloped downward or leftwardfrom top surface 15 and outward away from longitudinal axis x-x at atapered angle 23 from axis x-x of at least 11 degrees. In thisembodiment, tapered angle 23 is about 30 degrees. Frusto-conical surface16 provides an outer tapered surface that services as a security featurein that it is difficult to grip using an unauthorized tool. Should anattempt be made to rotate bolt fastener 2 by griping on surface 16 usingan unauthorized tool, such tool will tend to slip on tapered surface 16and it will tend to be difficult to find an attack point on boltfastener 2.

Taper angle 23 of surface 16 may be varied, and such variations may be afunction of the hardness of the material forming drive portion 26 offastener 2. For example, taper angle 23 may be between about 29 degreesand about 61 degrees. Tapered outer surface 16 may have a Rockwell scalehardness of about HRc 60 or less. Taper angle 23 and the hardness oftapered surface 16 of drive portion 26 may be governed by the function:taper angle≧11.25+((60−taper hardness)×0.75), where the “taper hardness”is the Rockwell scale hardness of drive portion 26.

As shown in FIGS. 1-5, drive portion 26 has a key-receiving pattern thatmay be implemented as a set of circumferentially spaced longitudinallyextending key-receiving grooves 25 in tapered surface 16 arranged in alock pattern to which a drive torque may be applied. Lock patternconfigurations that use formations of other than grooves couldpotentially also be used. Each lock pattern groove 25 is formed by agenerally arcuate surface 27 extending radially inwards towardslongitudinal axis x-x of fastener 2 from tapered surface 16 of driveportion 26. Surface 27 thereby intersects and forms an edge at itsrespective junction with tapered surface 16. In this embodiment, each ofgrooves 25 has an outer width 38 at major diameter 36 from one side ofarcuate surface 27, where it intersects with major diameter 36, to theother side of arcuate surface 27, where it again intersects with majordiameter 36, of less than about 26% of major diameter 36. Each ofgrooves 25 also has an inner width 37 at minor diameter 35 from one sideof arcuate surface 27, where it intersects with minor diameter 35, tothe other side of arcuate surface 27, where it intersects again withminor diameter 35. In this embodiment, each of grooves 25 has a maximumradial depth 28 inwards from minor diameter 35 of less than about 11% ofmajor diameter 36. Each of grooves 25 has a radial depth 39 inwards frommajor diameter 36 that is greater than radial depth 28 inwards fromminor diameter 35.

Drive portion 26 has a total outer surface area consisting of thetapered surface area of tapered outer surface 16 and the groove cutawaysurface area of grooves 25 in tapered outer surface 16. In thisembodiment, this tapered surface area comprises at least about 59% ofthe total surface area. In order to impart lock pattern uniqueness, thelock pattern grooves 25 may be patterned in any suitable manner, such asby employing a selected number of grooves or varying the spacing betweengrooves and/or the width, length or depth of the grooves.

A key (not shown) may be used to engage lock pattern grooves 25. The keyincludes a socket and a drive portion. The entrance to the socket isformed with a key pattern that may be implemented as a set ofcircumferentially arranged key pattern lobes. The key pattern lobes areconfigured and arranged to engage lock pattern grooves 25 when thesocket is placed over end portion 4 of bolt fastener 2. Behind the keypattern lobes, the socket is substantially cylindrical and sized toaccommodate first end 4 of bolt fastener 2. The drive portion of the keymay be formed with a conventional hex (or other) configuration forengagement by a standard wrench or drive tool.

Turning now to FIGS. 4-5, an example installation is shown in which boltfastener 2 is mounted on a wheel, represented at 30, that has at leastone fastener-receiving recess hole 31. Examples of such a wheelincludes, but is not limited to, metal alloy vehicle wheels that arecast or forged from a lightweight metal, such as alloys of aluminum,magnesium or titanium.

As shown, bolt fastener 2 is installed in recess hole 31, which in thisembodiment is a relatively deep cylindrical well, having annular recessentrance 33 of diameter 34. In this installation, first end portion 4 ofbolt fastener 2 is arranged so that it will be exposed outside entrance33 to recess hole 31 when bolt fastener 2 is threadedly installedtherein. As previously stated, the breakaway configuration of lock post10 provides a security feature that protects first end portion 4 frombeing used as an attack point for unauthorized tools. Should an attemptbe made to rotate bolt fastener 2 by gripping first end portion 4, itsbreakaway post construction will tend to produce a break at lock postgroove 11.

The medial portion 8 of bolt fastener 2 is arranged so that sidewall 18of skirt 24 thereof extends within recess hole 31. In this position,only drive portion 26, situated on the upper side of surface 17 of skirt24, is exposed outside recess hole entrance 34. Thus, access to skirt 24and annular surface 18, which is not tapered in this embodiment relativeto axis x-x, is limited by circumferential gap 40 between outer diameter22 of skirt 24 and inner diameter 34 of recess entrance 33 of recesshole 31. The size of gap space 40 can be controlled by sizing diameter22 of skirt 24 according to diameter 34 of recess hole 31. In this way,medial portion 8 can be configured to provide a fastener securityfeature. In this embodiment, gap 40 is equal to or less than about 6millimeters and more preferably is equal to or less than about 3millimeters.

Turning now to FIGS. 6-10, a nut-type security fastener 102 according toa second example embodiment is shown. While nut fastener 102 is similarto the above-described bolt fastener 2 with respect to their driveportions, nut fastener 102 does not include a first end portion 4 havinga generally cylindrical lock post 10.

Second end portion 106 of nut fastener 102 includes bore 114 that isinternally threaded over a portion (or all) of its length. As shown inFIG. 8, bore 114 extends only partially through nut fastener 102. Secondend portion 106 may further include an external spin washer 60 mountedon the left end of portion 106.

Like bolt fastener 2, nut fastener 102 has a specially configured outerdrive and skirt profile. In particular, and with reference to FIG. 8,skirt and drive portions 124 and 126, respectively, of nut fastener 102are a specially-configured solid member elongated along axis x-x, andare bounded by rightwardly-facing annular vertical surface 115,rightwardly and outwardly-facing frusto-conical surface 116,rightwardly-facing annular vertical surface 117, outwardly-facinghorizontal cylindrical surface 118, and leftwardly-facing annularvertical surface 119. Surface 116 and grooves 125 generally form driveportion 126. Frusto-conical surface 116 has an upper minor diameter 135at its junction with surface 115 and a lower major diameter 136 at itsjunction with surface 117. Surfaces 117, 118 and 119 generally formskirt portion 124 and surface 118 generally provides a cylindricalsidewall region having outer diameter 122. In this embodiment, surface116 is tapered or sloped downward or leftward from top surface 115 andoutward away from longitudinal axis x-x at a tapered angle 123 from axisx-x of at least 11 degrees. In this embodiment, tapered angle 123 isabout 30 degrees. As described above, frusto-conical surface 116provides an outer tapered surface that services as a security feature inthat it is difficult to grip using an unauthorized tool. Should anattempt be made to rotate nut fastener 102 by griping on surface 116using an unauthorized tool, such tool will tend to slide on taperedsurface 116 and it will tend to be difficult to find an attack point onnut fastener 102.

As with bolt fastener 2, taper angle 123 of surface 116 may be varied,and such variations may be a function of the hardness of the materialforming drive portion 126 of fastener 102. For example, taper angle 123may be between about 29 degrees and about 61 degrees. Tapered outersurface 116 may have a Rockwell scale hardness of about HRc 60 or less.Taper angle 123 and the hardness of tapered surface 116 of drive portion126 may be governed by the function: taper angle≧11.25+((60−taperhardness)×0.75), where the “taper hardness” is the Rockwell scalehardness of drive portion 126.

As shown and described with respect to fastener 2, drive portion 126 hasa key-receiving pattern that may be implemented as a set ofcircumferentially spaced longitudinally extending key-receiving grooves125 in tapered surface 116 arranged in a lock pattern to which a drivetorque may be applied, in the same manner as the lock pattern grooves 25of bolt fastener 2 described above. In FIGS. 6-8, each lock patterngroove 125 is formed by a generally arcuate surface 127 extendingradially inwards towards longitudinal axis x-x of fastener 102 fromtapered surface 116 of drive portion 126. Surface 127 thereby intersectsand forms an edge at its respective junction with tapered surface 116.In this embodiment, each of grooves 125 has an outer width 138 at majordiameter 136 from one side of arcuate surface 127, where it intersectswith major diameter 136, to the other side of arcuate surface 127, whereit intersects with major diameter 136, of less than about 26% of majordiameter 136. In this embodiment, each of grooves 125 has a maximumradial depth 139 inwards from minor diameter 135 of less than about 11%of major diameter 136. In this embodiment, each of grooves 125 has amaximum radial depth 128 inwards from minor diameter 135 of less thanabout 11% of major diameter 136. Each of grooves 125 has a radial depth139 inwards from major diameter 136 that is greater than radial depth128 inwards from minor diameter 135.

Drive portion 126 has a total outer surface area consisting of thetapered surface area of tapered outer surface 116 and the groove cutawaysurface area of grooves 125 in tapered outer surface 116. In thisembodiment, this tapered surface area comprises at least about 59% ofthe total surface area.

As described above in connection with the bolt fastener 2, a key may beused to engage lock pattern grooves 125. The key pattern lobes areconfigured and arranged to engage the lock pattern grooves 125 when thesocket is placed over top surface 115 of nut fastener 102.

Turning now to FIGS. 9-10, an example installation is shown in which nutfastener 102 is mounted on wheel 130 having recess hole 133. As shown,fastener-receiving recess hole 131 of wheel 130 has an annular recessentrance 133 of diameter 134. As shown in FIG. 10, wheel stud 29 extendsthrough the left side of recess hole such that the right end of wheelstud or post 29 is interior to hole 131 and entrance 133. The exteriorright end portion 61 of post 29 is threaded and nut fastener 102 issized and installed such that the interior threads of inner bore 114engage the exterior threads of end portion 61 of post 29. In thisinstallation, drive portion 126 of nut fastener 102 is arranged so thatit is not exposed outside entrance 133 to recess hole 131 when nutfastener 102 is rotationally installed on wheel stud 29.

Skirt portion 124 of nut fastener 102 is arranged so that sidewall 118of skirt 124 thereof extends within recess hole 131. Also, in thisembodiment, drive portion 126, situated on the upper side of surface 117of skirt 124, is exposed inside recess hole entrance 133. In thisposition, access to skirt 124 and annular surface 118, which is nottapered in this embodiment relative to axis x-x, is limited bycircumferential gap 140 between outer diameter 122 of skirt 124 andinner diameter 134 of recess entrance 133 of recess hole 131. The sizeof gap space 140 can be controlled by sizing diameter 122 of skirt 124according to diameter 134 of recess hole 131. As stated above inconnection with the bolt fastener 2, in this embodiment gap 140 is equalto or less than about 6 millimeters and more preferably is equal to orless than about 3 millimeters.

Turning now to FIGS. 11-13, a bolt-type security fastener 202 accordingto a third example embodiment is shown. Bolt fastener 202 has many ofthe features of bolt fastener 2 described above in connection with FIGS.1-5. The major difference between bolt fastener 202 and bolt fastener 2lies in the fact that drive portion 226 of bolt fastener 202 is formedwith a double tapper.

In particular, and with reference to FIG. 13, medial portion 208 is aspecially-configured solid member elongated along axis x-x, and isbounded by rightwardly-facing annular vertical surface 215, firstrightwardly and outwardly-facing frusto-conical surface 216 a, secondrightwardly and outwardly-facing frusto-conical surface 216 b,rightwardly-facing annular vertical surface 217, outwardly-facinghorizontal cylindrical surface 218, and leftwardly-facing annularvertical surface 219, joined at its inner marginal end to the rightmarginal end of outwardly-facing horizontal cylindrical surface 220 ofshank 214. Surfaces 216 a and 216 b and grooves 225 generally form driveportion 226. Surfaces 217, 218 and 219 generally form skirt portion 224and surface 218 generally provides a cylindrical sidewall region.

In this embodiment, surface 216 a is tapered or sloped downward orleftward from top surface 215 and outward away from longitudinal axisx-x at a tapered angle 223 a from axis x-x of at least 40 degrees. Inthis embodiment, tapered angle 223 a is about 60 degrees. Surface 216 bis tapered or sloped downward or leftward from first tapered surface 216a and outward away from longitudinal axis x-x at a tapered angle 223 bof less than 40 degrees. In this embodiment, tapered angle 223 b isabout 30 degrees. As with bolt fastener 2, frusto-conical surfaces 216 aand 216 b provide an outer tapered or sloped surface that services as asecurity feature in that it is difficult to grip using an unauthorizedtool. Should an attempt be made to rotate bolt fastener 202 by gripingon surfaces 216 a and 216 b using an unauthorized tool, such tool willtend to slide on tapered surfaces 216 a and 216 b and it will tend to bedifficult to find an attack point on bolt fastener 202.

As shown and described with respect to fastener 2, drive portion 226 hasa key-receiving pattern that may be implemented as a set ofcircumferentially spaced longitudinally extending key-receiving grooves225 in tapered surfaces 216 a and 216 b arranged in a lock pattern towhich a drive torque may be applied, in the same manner as the lockpattern grooves 25 of bolt fastener 2 described above.

Turning now to FIGS. 14-16, a nut-type security fastener 302 accordingto a fourth example embodiment is shown. Nut fastener 302 has many ofthe features of nut fastener 102 described above in connection withFIGS. 6-10. The major difference between nut fastener 302 and nutfastener 102 lies in the fact that drive portion 324 of nut fastener 302is formed with a double tapper.

In particular, and with reference to FIG. 16, skirt and drive portions324 and 326, respectively, of nut fastener 302 are aspecially-configured solid member elongated along axis x-x, and arebounded by rightwardly-facing annular vertical surface 315, firstrightwardly and outwardly-facing frusto-conical surface 316 a, secondrightwardly and outwardly-facing frusto-conical surface 316 b,rightwardly-facing annular vertical surface 317, outwardly-facinghorizontal cylindrical surface 318, and leftwardly-facing annularvertical surface 319. Surfaces 316 a and 316 b and grooves 325 generallyform drive portion 326. Surfaces 317, 318 and 319 generally form skirtportion 324 and surface 318 generally provides a cylindrical sidewallregion.

In this embodiment, surface 316 a is tapered or sloped downward orleftward from top surface 315 and outward away from longitudinal axisx-x at a tapered angle 323 a from axis x-x of at least 40 degrees. Inthis embodiment, tapered angle 323 a is about 45 degrees. Surface 316 bis tapered or sloped downward or leftward from first tapered surface 316a and outward away from longitudinal axis x-x at a tapered angle 323 bof less than about 40 degrees. In this embodiment, tapered angle 323 bis about 20 degrees. As with bolt fastener 102, frusto-conical surfaces316 a and 316 b provide an outer tapered or sloped surface that servicesas a security feature in that it is difficult to grip using anunauthorized tool. Should an attempt be made to rotate nut fastener 302by griping on surfaces 316 a and 316 b using an unauthorized tool, suchtool will tend to slid on tapered surfaces 316 a and 316 b and it willtend to be difficult to find an attack point on bolt fastener 302.

As shown and described with respect to fastener 102, drive portion 326has a key-receiving pattern that may be implemented as a set ofcircumferentially spaced longitudinally extending key-receiving grooves325 in tapered surfaces 316 a and 316 b arranged in a lock pattern towhich a drive torque may be applied, in the same manner as the lockpattern grooves 125 of nut fastener 102 described above.

Turning now to FIGS. 17-20, a nut-type security fastener 402 accordingto a fifth example embodiment is shown. Nut fastener 402 is similar inmost respects to nut fastener 102 described above. The differencebetween the nut fastener 402 and the nut fastener 102 lies in the factthat the fastener 402 of the current embodiment includes spin shroud 45and nut fastener 402 includes a specially configured correspondingmounting seat 48.

With reference to FIGS. 18 and 20, drive portion 42, shroud mountingseat 48, and skirt 43 of nut fastener 402 are a specially-configuredsolid member elongated along axis x-x, and are generally bounded byrightwardly-facing annular vertical surface 415, rightwardly andoutwardly-facing frusto-conical surface 416, rightwardly-facing annularvertical surface 417, rightwardly and outwardly-facing frusto-conicalsurface 418, rightwardly and outwardly-facing frusto-conical surface419, inwardly-extending and outwardly-facing annular rectangular snapring groove 420, inwardly-extending and outwardly-facing annular O-ringgroove 421, rightwardly-facing annular vertical surface 422,outwardly-facing horizontal cylindrical surface 423, andleftwardly-facing annular vertical surface 424. Surface 416 and grooves425 generally form drive portion 42. Surfaces 418-422 generally definespin shroud mounting seat 48, and surfaces 423 and 424 generally formskirt portion 43 and surface 423 generally provides a cylindricalsidewall region having outer diameter 44.

As shown in FIG. 18, shroud 45 is generally a cylindrical ring-shapedannular structure. Referring now to FIGS. 18 and 20, this ring-shapedstructure is a specially-configured solid member elongated along axisx-x, and is generally bounded by rightwardly-facing annular verticalsurface 50, inwardly-facing horizontal cylindrical surface 51,leftwardly and inwardly-facing frusto-conical surface 52,inwardly-facing horizontal cylindrical surface 53, outwardly-extendingand inwardly-facing annular rectangular snap ring groove 54,outwardly-extending and inwardly-facing annular O-ring groove 55,leftwardly-facing annular vertical surface 56, and outwardly-facinghorizontal cylindrical surface 57, joined at its right marginal end tothe outer marginal end of surface 50. As shown, shroud 45 is held insliding rotational relationship to shroud mounting seat 48 of nutfastener 402 by snap ring 47 and rotates about axis x-x relative to nutfastener 402 by sliding around O-ring 46. Snap ring 47 is held withinsnap ring seat or groove 54 of shroud 45 and the opposed andcorresponding snap ring groove 420 in mounting seat 48 of nut fastener402.

Nut fastener 402 is arranged so that sidewall 423 of skirt 43 extendswithin recess hole 131. In this position, only shrouded portion 48 anddrive portion 42, situated on the upper side of surface 422 of skirt424, are exposed outside recess hole entrance 134. In this position,access to skirt 424 and annular surface 422, which is not tapered inthis embodiment relative to axis x-x, is limited by a circumferentialgap between outer diameter 44 of skirt 43 and inner diameter 134 ofrecess entrance 133 of recess hole 131. The size of the gap space can becontrolled by sizing diameter 44 of skirt 43 according to diameter 134of recess hole 131.

As described above, frusto-conical surface 416 provides an outer taperedsurface that services as a security feature in that it is difficult togrip using an unauthorized tool. Should an attempt be made to rotate nutfastener 402 by griping on surface 416 using an unauthorized tool, suchtool will tend to slid on tapered surface 416 and it will tend to bedifficult to find an attack point on nut fastener 402. In addition,should an attempt be made to rotate nut fastener 402 by griping on outersurfaces 56, 57 or 50 of spinning shroud 45 and applying a rotationaltorque, because shroud 45 is relatively free to spin about axis x-xrelative to fastener 402, such rotational torque applied to shroud 45 isnot transferred to fastener 402.

Turning now to FIGS. 21-25, an inverted bolt-type security fastener 502according to a sixth example embodiment is shown. Inverted bolt fastener502 has a number of the features of bolt fastener 2 described above inconnection with FIGS. 1-5. The major difference between bolt fastener502 and bolt fastener 2 lies in the fact that drive portion 526 isgenerally inverted relative to drive portion 26 of bolt fastener 2.

While fastener 502 is similar to the above-described bolt fastener 2with respect to their end portions 506 and 6, respectively, boltfastener 502 does not include a first end portion 4 having a generallycylindrical lock post 10. In addition, bolt fastener 502 does notinclude an outwardly extending skirt 24 below an outwardly-facing driveportion 26. Instead, fastener 502 has an internally-facing drive portion526 opposite an outwardly-facing threaded surface 518.

As shown in FIG. 21, bolt fastener 502 includes end portion 506 and coneportion 508. End portion 506 of bolt fastener 502 includes shank 514,which is externally threaded over a portion or all of its length. Coneportion 508 of bolt fastener 502 has a specially configured internalprofile. In particular, and with reference to FIG. 23, cone portion 508is a specially-configured solid member elongated along axis x-x, and isbounded by rightwardly and inwardly-facing frusto-conical surface 516,rightwardly-facing annular vertical surface 515, outwardly-facinghorizontal cylindrical surface 518, leftwardly-facing annular verticalsurface 519, outwardly-facing horizontal cylindrical surface 542, andleftwardly and outwardly-facing frusto-conical surface 543, joined atits inner marginal end to the right marginal end of outwardly-facinghorizontal cylindrical surface 520 of shank 514. Surface 516 and grooves525 generally form drive portion 526. Frusto-conical surface 516 has anupper major diameter 535 at its junction with surface 515.

As shown, in this embodiment surface 518 is a threaded surface andgenerally provides a cylindrical sidewall region having outer diameter522. In this embodiment, surface 516 is tapered or sloped downward orleftward from top surface 515 and inward toward longitudinal axis x-x ata tapered angle 523 from axis x-x of at least 11 degrees. In thisembodiment, tapered angle 23 is about 45 degrees. Frusto-conical surface516 provides an inner tapered surface that services as a securityfeature in that it is difficult to grip using an unauthorized tool.Should an attempt be made to rotate bolt fastener 502 by griping againstsurface 516 using an unauthorized tool, such tool will tend to slid ontapered surface 516 and it will tend to be difficult to find an attackpoint on bolt fastener 502.

The taper angle 523 of surface 516 may be varied, and such variationsmay be a function of the hardness of the material forming drive portion526 of fastener 502. For example, taper angle 523 may be between about29 degrees and about 61 degrees. Tapered outer surface 516 may have aRockwell scale hardness of about HRc 60 or less. Taper angle 523 and thehardness of tapered surface 516 of drive portion 526 may be governed bythe function: taper angle≧11.25+((60−taper hardness)×0.75), where the“taper hardness” is the Rockwell scale hardness of drive portion 526.

As shown, drive portion 526 has a key-receiving pattern that may beimplemented as a set of circumferentially spaced longitudinallyextending key-receiving grooves 525 in tapered surface 516 arranged in alock pattern to which a drive torque may be applied. In FIGS. 21-26,each lock pattern groove 525 is formed by a generally arcuate surface527 extending radially outwards away from longitudinal axis x-x offastener 502 from tapered surface 516 of drive portion 526. Surface 527thereby intersects and forms an edge at its respective junction withtapered surface 516. In this embodiment, each of grooves 525 has anouter width 538 and an inner width 537 from one side of arcuate surface527 to the other side.

Drive portion 526 has a total outer surface area consisting of thetapered surface area of tapered outer surface 516 and the groove cutawaysurface area of grooves 525 in tapered outer surface 516. In thisembodiment, this tapered surface area comprises at least about 59% ofthe total surface area. In order to impart lock pattern uniqueness, thelock pattern grooves 525 may be patterned in any suitable manner, suchas by employing a selected number of grooves and/or by varying thespacing between grooves and/or the width, length or depth of thegrooves.

A key (not shown) may be used to engage lock pattern grooves 525. Thekey includes a socket and a drive portion. The outer circumference ofthe socket is formed with a key pattern that may be implemented as a setof circumferentially arranged key pattern lobes. The key pattern lobesare configured and arranged to engage the lock pattern grooves 525 whenthe socket is placed into and properly aligned in cone portion 508. Theinternal drive portion of the key may be formed with a conventional hex(or other) configuration for engagement by a standard wrench or drivetool.

Turning now to FIGS. 24-26, an example installation is shown in whichbolt fastener 502 is mounted on a wheel, represented at 230, that has atleast one fastener-receiving recess hole 231. As shown, bolt fastener502 is installed in recess hole 231, which in this embodiment is arelatively deep cylindrical well, having annular recess entrance 233 ofdiameter 234.

Cone portion 508 of bolt fastener 502 is arranged so that sidewall 518thereof extends within recess hole 231. In this position, none of boltfastener 502 is exposed outside recess hole entrance 234 and access toannular surface 518, which is not tapered in this embodiment relative toaxis x-x, is limited by the imbedded position of fastener 502 in recess231 and the circumferential gap 540 between outer diameter 522 ofsurface 518 and inner diameter 234 of recess entrance 233 of recess hole231. The size of gap space 540 can be controlled by sizing diameter 522according to diameter 234 of recess hole 231. In this way, cone portion508 can be configured to provide a fastener security feature. In thisembodiment, gap 540 is equal to or less than about 6 millimeters andmore preferably is equal to or less than about 3 millimeters.

Turning now to FIGS. 27-29, a bolt-type security fastener 602 accordingto a seventh example embodiment is shown. Bolt fastener 602 has many ofthe features of bolt fastener 502 described above in connection withFIGS. 23-26. The major difference between bolt fastener 502 and boltfastener 602 lies in the fact that drive portion 626 of bolt fastener602 is formed with a double tapper.

In particular, and with reference to FIG. 29, cone portion 608 is aspecially-configured solid member elongated along axis x-x, and isbounded by first rightwardly and inwardly-facing frusto-conical surface616 b, second rightwardly and inwardly-facing frusto-conical surface 616a, rightwardly-facing annular vertical surface 615, outwardly-facinghorizontal cylindrical surface 618, leftwardly-facing annular verticalsurface 619, outwardly-facing horizontal cylindrical surface 642, andleftwardly and outwardly-facing frusto-conical surface 643, joined atits inner marginal end to the right marginal end of outwardly-facinghorizontal cylindrical surface 620 of shank 614.

In this embodiment, surface 616 a is tapered or sloped downward orleftward from top surface 615 and inward toward longitudinal axis x-x ata tapered angle 623 a from axis x-x of less than about 40 degrees. Inthis embodiment, tapered angle 623 a is about 30 degrees. Surface 616 bis tapered or sloped downward or leftward from first tapered surface 616a and inward toward longitudinal axis x-x at a tapered angle from axisx-x 623 b at least about 40 degrees. In this embodiment, tapered angle623 b is about 50 degrees. As with bolt fastener 502, frusto-conicalsurfaces 616 a and 616 b provide an inner tapered or sloped surface thatservices as a security feature in that it is difficult to grip using anunauthorized tool. Should an attempt be made to rotate bolt fastener 602by griping on surfaces 616 a and/or 616 b using an unauthorized tool,such tool will tend to slide on tapered surfaces 616 a and 616 b and itwill tend to be difficult to find an attack point on bolt fastener 602.

As shown and described with respect to fastener 502, drive portion 626has a key-receiving pattern that may be implemented as a set ofcircumferentially spaced longitudinally extending key-receiving grooves625 in tapered surface 616 a arranged in a lock pattern to which a drivetorque may be applied, in the same manner as the lock pattern grooves525 of bolt fastener 502 described above.

Accordingly, various security fasteners for installation on wheelshaving a recess hole have been disclosed. Although example embodimentshave been shown and described, it should be apparent that manyvariations and alternative embodiments could be implemented inaccordance with the teachings herein. It is understood, therefore, thatthe invention is not to be in any way limited except in accordance withthe spirit of the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A security fastener for installation on a wheelhaving a recess hole extending from a recess entrance of a firstdiameter, comprising: a threaded end portion concentric with alongitudinal axis of said fastener; said threaded end portion configuredand arranged to mate with a corresponding threaded element of saidrecess hole of said wheel when said fastener is installed in said recesshole; an intermediate skirt portion concentric with said longitudinalaxis of said fastener and configured and arranged such that a side wallregion of said skirt portion will extend within said recess hole whensaid fastener is installed in said recess hole; said side wall region ofsaid intermediate skirt portion having a diameter within about 6millimeters of said first diameter of said recess entrance; a driveportion having a tapered outer surface and a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced longitudinally extending key-receiving groovesin said tapered outer surface arranged in a lock pattern to which adriving torque may be applied; said drive portion configured andarranged such that said lock pattern will be exposed outside, at orinside said entrance to said recess hole when said fastener is installedin said recess hole; said tapered outer surface sloping downward andoutward away from said longitudinal axis of said fastener from a topsurface substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of saidfastener to said skirt portion at a taper angle from said longitudinalaxis of at least 11 degrees.
 2. The fastener of claim 1, wherein saidintermediate skirt portion comprises an upper annular surface orientatedsubstantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said fastenerand an outer cylindrical surface concentric with said longitudinal axisof said fastener.
 3. The fastener of claim 2, wherein said sidewallregion of said skirt portion comprises said outer cylindrical surfaceconcentric with said longitudinal axis of said fastener.
 4. The fastenerof claim 1, wherein said side wall region of said intermediate skirtportion has a diameter within about 3 millimeters of said first diameterof said recess entrance.
 5. The fastener of claim 1, wherein said taperangle of said tapered outer surface is between about 29 degrees andabout 61 degrees.
 6. The fastener of claim 1, wherein said tapered outersurface comprises a first tapered surface portion sloping downward fromsaid top surface and outward away from said longitudinal axis of saidfastener at a first taper angle of at least 40 degrees and a secondtapered surface portion sloping downward from said first surface portionand outward away from said longitudinal axis of said fastener at asecond taper angle that is less than said first taper angle.
 7. Thefastener of claim 6, wherein said first taper angle is about 45 degreesand said second taper angle is about 20 degrees.
 8. The fastener ofclaim 1, wherein said tapered outer surface of said drive portion has aRockwell scale hardness of about HRc 60 or less.
 9. The fastener ofclaim 8, wherein said taper angle and said hardness of said taperedouter surface of said drive portion are governed by the function:taper angle≧11.25+((60−taper hardness)*0.75), where “taper hardness” issaid Rockwell scale hardness of said drive portion.
 10. The fastener ofclaim 1, wherein each of said longitudinally extending key-receivinggrooves is defined by an arcuate surface extending radially inwardstowards said longitudinal axis of said fastener from said taperedsurface of said drive portion.
 11. The fastener of claim 10, whereinsaid tapered outer surface comprises a frusto-conical surface having anupper minor diameter and a lower major diameter.
 12. The fastener ofclaim 11, wherein each of said grooves has an outer width at said majordiameter from one side of said arcuate surface, where it intersects withsaid major diameter, to the other side of said arcuate surface, where itintersects with said major diameter, of less than about 26% of saidmajor diameter.
 13. The fastener of claim 11, wherein each of saidgrooves has a maximum radial depth inwards from said minor diameter ofless than about 11% of said major diameter.
 14. The fastener of claim11, wherein said drive portion has a total outer surface area consistingof a tapered surface area of said tapered outer surface and a groovecutaway surface area of said grooves in said tapered outer surface andwherein said tapered surface area comprises at least about 59% of saidtotal surface area.
 15. The fastener of claim 1, wherein said threadedend portion comprises an inner threaded bore and said correspondingthreaded element of said recess hole of said wheel comprises an outerthreaded stud in said recess hole.
 16. The fastener of claim 1, andfurther comprising a break-away post extending from said top surface ofsaid drive portion.
 17. The fastener of claim 1, and further comprisinga shroud rotatable about said longitudinal axis relative to saidintermediate skirt portion and extending over at least a portion of saidfastener.
 18. A security fastener for installation on a wheel having arecess hole extending from a recess entrance of a first diameter,comprising: a threaded end portion concentric with a longitudinal axisof said fastener; said threaded end portion configured and arranged tomate with a corresponding inner threaded element of said recess hole ofsaid wheel when said fastener is installed in said recess hole; anintermediate skirt portion concentric with said longitudinal axis ofsaid fastener and configured and arranged such that a side wall regionof said skirt portion will extend within said recess hole when saidfastener is installed in said recess hole; said side wall region of saidintermediate skirt portion having a diameter within about 6 millimetersof said first diameter of said recess entrance; a drive portion having atapered outer surface and a plurality of circumferentially spacedlongitudinally extending key-receiving grooves in said tapered outersurface arranged in a lock pattern to which a driving torque may beapplied; said drive portion configured and arranged such that said lockpattern will be exposed outside, at or inside said entrance to saidrecess hole when said fastener is installed in said recess hole; saidtapered outer surface of said drive portion having a Rockwell scalehardness of about HRc 60 or less; said tapered outer surface slopingdownward and outward away from said longitudinal axis of said fastenerfrom a top surface substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axisof said fastener to said skirt portion at a taper angle from saidlongitudinal axis of at least 11 degrees; and wherein said taper angleand said hardness of said tapered outer surface of said drive portionare governed by the function:taper angle≧11.25+((60−taper hardness)*0.75), where “taper hardness” issaid Rockwell scale hardness of said drive portion.
 19. The fastener ofclaim 18, wherein said intermediate skirt portion comprises an upperannular surface orientated substantially perpendicular to saidlongitudinal axis of said fastener and said sidewall region of saidskirt portion comprises an outer cylindrical surface concentric withsaid longitudinal axis of said fastener.
 20. The fastener of claim 18,wherein said side wall region of said intermediate skirt portion has adiameter within about 3 millimeters of said first diameter of saidrecess entrance.
 21. The fastener of claim 18, wherein said taper angleof said tapered outer surface is between about 29 degrees and about 61degrees.
 22. The fastener of claim 18, wherein said tapered outersurface comprises a first tapered surface portion sloping downward fromsaid top surface and outward away from said longitudinal axis of saidfastener at a first taper angle of at least 40 degrees and a secondtapered surface portion sloping downward from said first surface portionand outward away from said longitudinal axis of said fastener at asecond taper angle that is less than said first taper angle.
 23. Thefastener of claim 22, wherein said first taper angle is about 45 degreesand said second taper angle is about 20 degrees.
 24. The fastener ofclaim 18, wherein: each of said longitudinally extending key-receivinggrooves is defined by an arcuate surface extending radially inwardstowards said longitudinal axis of said fastener from said taperedsurface of said drive portion; said tapered outer surface comprises afrusto-conical surface having an upper minor diameter and a lower majordiameter; and each of said grooves has an outer width at said majordiameter from one side of said arcuate surface, where it intersects withsaid major diameter, to the other side of said arcuate surface, where itintersects with said major diameter, of less than about 26% of saidmajor diameter.
 25. The fastener of claim 24, wherein each of saidgrooves has a maximum radial depth inwards from said minor diameter ofless than about 11% of said major diameter.
 26. The fastener of claim24, wherein said drive portion has a total outer surface area consistingof a tapered surface area of said tapered outer surface and a groovecutaway surface area of said grooves in said tapered outer surface andwherein said tapered surface area comprises at least about 59% of saidtotal surface area.
 27. The fastener of claim 18, wherein said threadedend portion comprises an inner threaded bore and said correspondingthreaded element of said recess hole of said wheel comprises an outerthreaded stud in said recess hole.
 28. The fastener of claim 8, andfurther comprising a break-away post extending from said top surface ofsaid drive portion.
 29. The fastener of claim 18, and further comprisinga shroud rotatable about said longitudinal axis relative to saidintermediate skirt portion and extending over at least a portion of saidfastener.
 30. A security fastener for installation on a wheel having arecess hole extending from a recess entrance of a first diameter,comprising: a threaded portion concentric with a longitudinal axis ofsaid fastener; said threaded portion configured and arranged to matewith a corresponding threaded element of said recess hole of said wheelwhen said fastener is installed in said recess hole; a drive portionhaving a tapered inner surface and a plurality of circumferentiallyspaced longitudinally extending key-receiving grooves in said taperedinner surface arranged in a lock pattern to which a driving torque maybe applied; said drive portion configured and arranged such that saidlock pattern will be exposed outside, at or inside said entrance to saidrecess hole when said fastener is installed in said recess hole; saidtapered inner surface sloping downward and inward toward saidlongitudinal axis of said fastener at a taper angle from saidlongitudinal axis of at least 11 degrees.
 31. The fastener of claim 30,wherein said taper angle of said tapered inner surface is between about29 degrees and about 61 degrees.
 32. The fastener of claim 30, whereinsaid tapered inner surface comprises a first tapered surface portionsloping downward and inward toward said longitudinal axis of saidfastener at a first taper angle of at least 11 degrees and a secondtapered surface portion sloping downward and inward toward saidlongitudinal axis of said fastener at a second taper angle that isgreater than said first taper angle.
 33. The fastener of claim 32,wherein said first taper angle is about 20 degrees and said second taperangle is about 45 degrees.
 34. The fastener of claim 30, wherein saidtapered inner surface of said drive portion has a Rockwell scalehardness of about HRc 60 or less.
 35. The fastener of claim 34, whereinsaid taper angle and said hardness of said tapered inner surface of saiddrive portion are governed by the function:taper angle≧11.25+((60−taper hardness)*0.75), where “taper hardness” issaid Rockwell scale hardness of said drive portion.
 36. The fastener ofclaim 30, wherein each of said longitudinally extending key-receivinggrooves is defined by an arcuate surface extending radially outward fromsaid longitudinal axis of said fastener from said tapered surface ofsaid drive portion.
 37. The fastener of claim 36, wherein said taperedinner surface comprises a frusto-conical surface having an upper majordiameter.
 38. The fastener of claim 37, wherein said drive portion has atotal inner surface area consisting of a tapered surface area of saidtapered inner surface and a groove cutaway surface area of said groovesin said tapered inner surface and wherein said tapered surface areacomprises at least about 59% of said total surface area.
 39. Thefastener of claim 30, wherein said threaded portion comprises an innerthreaded bore and said corresponding threaded element of said recesshole of said wheel comprises an outer threaded stud in said recess hole.